The New York Times contacted us on this one, and we helped out with the historic photo research for the article. As we mentioned early this past September, the Corn Exchange Building, on East 125th Street, by the Metro North Station, had a permit filed for it to be partially demolished. The Department of Buildings has decided that they will remove the top two floors because they are unstable (which has proceeded as of Wednesday of last week). They are allowed to do this without permission from the Landmarks Commission. We contacted the landmarks a month before this emergency demo began last week, and they did not respond back.
We urge any concerned readers to raise their voices in this matter and go to the NY Times link to make a comment on the article: LINK.
Our question to the Landmarks people and the DOB is whether or not they are preserving the terra cotta pieces and bricks so that they may be used later. Other preservationists have suggested just shoring up the walls, but the DOB has been given full permission to do as they will. Top photo taken yesterday and lower photos are from end of last week. Read the full history of the Corn Exchange Building in our past post: LINK. Thanks to Bespoke reader, Thomas Matta, for the tip on this story. Photo by Ulysses
Thanks for all who voiced their views on the Times sight. It currently is one of the most commented on articles of the week. If you have not done so, please make your voice heard!
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